Face-Off Awaits US President Biden, Russia's Putin In Tense Geneva Summit

Up to five hours of talks are planned between US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. A tense face-off awaits as Washington's list of allegations against the Kremlin runs long.

President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin face off Wednesday at a tense Geneva summit, where ghosts of the Cold War will hover over modern-day US concerns about Russian cyber attacks and what the White House sees as a dangerous authoritarian drift. The setting -- a sumptuous villa overlooking Lake Geneva -- may be picturesque, but a gruelling diplomatic face-off awaits. Up to five hours of talks are planned, starting at around 1:00 p.m. (1100 GMT), with no break for meals. Putin is due to arrive first, then Biden, with Swiss President Guy Parmelin acting as host. Asked if the two leaders might share food together, a staple gesture of goodwill in summit diplomacy, a senior US official said no.